There were heroics on the pitch even prior to kick-off at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
Champion fundraiser Jonjo Heuerman completed his latest charity challenge, dribbling a football 50 miles in five days from Southend United's Roots Hall to the Boleyn Ground.
As ever, Jonjo was raising funds and awareness for The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK in memory of his Nanny Lyn who died from bowel cancer and England's FIFA World Cup-winning captain.
Twelve-year-old Jonjo was firstly greeted by Joint-Chairman David Gold together with hundreds of well-wishers at the Champions sculpture, before dribbling out to the centre circle shortly before kick-off.
En route, Jonjo was also the guest of honour at the unveiling of a road naming plaque in honour of 1966 World Cup winning captain, Bobby Moore. Bobby Moore Way will be the location of a new multi-million pound Abbey Leisure Centre in Barking, due for completion later this year.
Barking and Dagenham Council Divisional Director for Culture and Sport Paul Hogan hailed Jonjo's extraordinary commitment to the cause, citing the youngster as a fine example to his contemporaries.
"It's quite extraordinary," Mr Hogan told West Ham TV. "We put quite a lot of emphasis on trying to provide volunteering opportunities, to help coaches get new skills, help sports clubs grow in the borough and it's a bit of an uphill struggle at times.
"If we had 100 lads like Jonjo, we wouldn't have any problems in the Borough in terms of trying to get people into sport. He is such a positive statement about young people and what they can do."
Joint-Chairman David Gold congratulates Jonjo
As for the man himself, Jonjo was thrilled if somewhat overwhelmed with his phenomenal fundraising efforts, which currently stand at upward of £155,000.
"I'm feeling really great, it's just that my feet are killing me, but that's fine," he explained. "I enjoyed it all the way. Just everyone coming along was brilliant, that's it really!
"I want to thank everyone who has participated and has helped me out through all of it, I couldn't do it without them.
"It was really great seeing them because it properly motivated me. Before I even came towards the statue I was really aching and I was thinking 'I can't do it.' But as soon as I saw them cheering me on I got my second wind back.
"I couldn't have done it without the people who donated or participated."